Este
Este: The "capital" of ancient Venetians is located on the river Adige, which once upon a time had covered the city itself. Surrounded by the gentle slopes of the Euganese hills, Este is a small town immersed in an atmosphere of charming tranquility
Este Province Padova
The resonances of the magical medieval world echo around the remains of the castle of the marquis, but the atmosphere is unthreatening. The imposing walls are the only remains of the building, nearly a kilometre long and spaced out with twelve keeps and two masts. Inside the walls, there is a public park; an Italian garden embellished with 17th century statues representing mythological gods.
We are at Este, in the region of Padua, in a basin protected by the Euganese hills.
An important civil and religious centre of the Palaeovenetians, the small town takes its name of the ancient name of the river Adige (Athesis, from which Atheste).
In the Medieval period, it became a walled town, just like the neighbouring towns of Montagnana and Monselice. However, Este has never had a warring nature. Here all is tranquil, calm and elegant.
Venetians settled in this region in 1405, which brought a period of economic, artistic and cultural wealth to the town.
Este's civil and religious past can be seen in the numerous buildings that one finds along the paved streets and squares. The most important historical period, the Palaeolithic era, is preserved in the Mocenigo Palace, the home of the National Archeological Museum of the Adige Valley, which has one of the most important Pre-Roman collections in Italy. Indeed Este is regarded as the "cradle" of Venetian civilization, whose origins are evidenced by the exhibits of extraordinary relevance that can be appreciated in the Museum's rooms.
In the Cathedral of Santa Tecla, rebuilt between the end of the 1600s and beginning of the 1700s on the ruins of the previous Palaeochristian basilica, the precious painting "The Intercession of Santa Tecla" by Giambattista Tiepolo has been preserved.
The four centuries of Venetian control can be admired in the beautiful palaces in the central Piazza Maggiore (among which there is the Town Hall, an elegant building with a loggia, and the Palazzo degli Scaligeri of 13th century origin) and the attractive villas. Among which there is Villa Kunkler, famous for its visitors, Byron and Shelley, Villa Comaro-Benvenuti, Villa Contarini-Gagliardo and Villa Zenobio-Albrizzi.
Today Este is an important production centre of artistic high-quality ceramics. It is a favourite tourist destination for those who wish to have a peaceful holiday due to its location in the Regional Park of the Euganese hills, close to spas and other significant cities rich in art.